Julian Edelman carries the burden of increased expectations

FOXBORO — A little more than a year ago, Julian Edelman was an unwanted man.

FOXBORO — A little more than a year ago, Julian Edelman was an unwanted man.

When the wide receiver entered free agency in 2013, his services fell on deaf ears. Aside from the Patriots, the only team that pursued him was the New York Giants. Coming off an injury-laden season, Edelman returned to the Patriots on a one-year deal worth $715,000 — the minimum base salary for a player in his fifth year.

Through incentives, the maximum Edelman could have made was $1.015 million in 2013. When it was all said and done, the wide receiver was one of the biggest bargains in the NFL.

After various injuries to Rob Gronkowski (knee) and Danny Amendola (groin), Edelman had a career year, catching 105 passes for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns. And this offseason he cashed in, signing a four-year, $17-million contract with the Patriots.

Considering Edelman’s signing bonus ($1,250,000) was more than he made all season, it would be understandable if this offseason was the most satisfying of Edelman’s career.

But winning is the only thing on this wide receiver’s mind. After falling to the Denver Broncos in last year’s AFC Championship Game, Edelman said he’s anything but satisfied heading into the season.

“No. We lost the last game last year,” Edelman said on Wednesday. “You have that taste a little bit. That’s all in the past and everything, but you still have to live with everything. You’re working for, ultimately, to get better in the next OTA and working for training camp. You’re never satisfied in the offseason.”

In his first four NFL seasons, Edelman totaled just 714 receiving yards. After hauling in 37 passes as a rookie in 2009, he was primarily used as a punt returner in his second and third years in the league. Then in 2012, a broken foot ended his season.

In 2013, Edelman emerged as a reliable and consistent target for Tom Brady in a season that desperately needed one.

To start the season, the Patriots had already lost Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez, Brandon Lloyd and Danny Woodhead. Gronkowski missed the first six weeks and Amendola suffered a torn groin in Week One at Buffalo.

On the field, Edelman led a group of rookies and inexperienced players. Only 555 of Brady’s 4,844 passing yards from 2012 were to receivers who were on the field to start the 2013 season.

Heading into this season, the Patriots have added veteran wide receiver Brandon LaFell, but with the team in its first week of organized team activities, Gronkowski still isn’t out on the field. Like he did last season, Edelman might find himself as the veteran of the Pats receiving corps, even if his focus is on making self-improvements.

“I’m finding myself in a role just to get better,” Edelman said. “I’ve definitely been here a lot longer than some guys. If there’s questions or anything, I’m happy to answer and help guys out. But first and foremost, I’ve got to hone down my craft and help contribute to this team.”

Like he has in the past, Edelman worked out with Brady this offseason. It worked wonders in 2013 and if the Patriots are going to make another postseason run, they’ll most likely need a similar effort from Edelman, in addition to more production from others.

“You know, we worked out a few times,” Edelman said. “It’s good to be back with everyone. Seeing [Kenbrell Thompkins], [Aaron] Dobson, Danny, add in the new guys. It’s just good to be around your teammates. We spend a lot of time together. You get sick of each other at the end of the year but once you’re gone away from each other, you miss your guys and now we’re back. And now we’re just going to make each other better.”

The receiver downplayed his new contract and said he’s only focused on improving. And he’ll have to.

After all, last year he was a bargain. This season he’ll have to earn the money.

“That’s all on the other side of the spectrum. That all happened already,” Edelman said. “As an athlete you focus on your craft. And right now, it’s a crucial time of improving yourself from the stuff that you saw last year that you thought you needed to work on. You really got to be able to take advantage of it with organized team activities and all these days.”